Devil Returns to School Days - Chapter 127: The Nuclear Bomb Dropped on Seoul ( 2)

**One Year Ago.**

How had Lee Mi-so been doing during this time?

“Ma’am, we’ve arrived.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

The driver pulled up in front of a grand mansion.

This area was well-known as an affluent neighborhood in Gangnam, with opulent houses like something out of a movie, exuding an air of luxury. High walls and gleaming CCTV cameras seemed to declare they wouldn’t tolerate intruders. Even though Lee Mi-so’s own family wasn’t doing poorly, every time she came here, her heart would pound with nervousness.

She walked up.

With a more composed face than usual, she pressed the doorbell.

Ding-dong.

“Mother, it’s me.”

[Oh, my lovely daughter-in-law is here!]

Click.

The door opened immediately.

A grandmother with a face full of wrinkles, but still looking gracefully aged, greeted her with a bright smile.

This was Lee Mi-so’s mother-in-law.

Just a year ago, the mother-in-law used to display a displeased demeanor every time she saw Lee Mi-so.

“…How is Min-woo doing these days?” [1]

“You know, when Dong-cheol was Min-woo’s age, he was a genius renowned in his field. Even if Min-woo isn’t quite at that level, shouldn’t he at least uphold the family name?”

“Do you think Min-woo will be able to get into a prestigious university at this rate?”

Those darn grades.

That was the problem.

Lee Mi-so’s husband, Kang Dong-cheol, the pride of this family, had been an extraordinary genius, following an elite path from a young age. Even among other prodigies, he was known as a genius. Because she had married such a man, her mother-in-law always held her to high standards.

As a result, every visit to the in-laws was a stressful ordeal.

Kang Min-woo had never met the high expectations, and Lee Mi-so was always on the receiving end of her mother-in-law’s sharp gaze.

But things were different now.

The mother’s beaming face was proof of Kang Min-woo’s recent academic achievements.

“How have you been feeling lately? Why does your face look so thin?”

“Mother, don’t even ask. I’ve been so busy looking after Min-woo recently. They say mothers of high schoolers are busier than the students themselves, and it’s all true. How are you feeling? Any discomfort?”

“I’m still full of energy. But I think I’ll give a call. There’s an oriental medicine clinic I frequent; I should get some tonic prepared for my daughter-in-law.”

The mother-in-law quickly headed toward the phone.

There was a surge of emotion.

While her mother-in-law’s pressure was only subtle, in Gangnam, there were already whispers that the reason Kang Dong-cheol’s child wasn’t performing well academically was because of Lee Mi-so’s blood. It was baseless, ridiculous gossip from those who loved to talk. Even knowing this, Lee Mi-so couldn’t ignore the rumors around her.

‘It’s truly amazing. How could his grades improve so dramatically just by changing the tutor?’

It wasn’t even a famous instructor.

Just another high school student.

Thanks to Kim Hyun-seong, Kang Min-woo’s grades had risen sharply.

Because of this, both her reputation among the Gangnam private academies and how her in-laws viewed her changed overnight.

As she watched her mother-in-law make the call, Lee Mi-so thought.

Kim Hyun-seong.

Undoubtedly, he was a gift sent from heaven.

* * *

The rapid change sparked rumors.

At first, those who belittled Lee Mi-so started buzzing about the “reason” behind Kang Min-woo’s sudden improvement.

“There must be something to it. Kang Min-woo was never a student who excelled at studying. Even though Lee Mi-so tried every possible tutor, his grades never improved, but now they’re suddenly skyrocketing? There’s definitely something going on. She must have discovered something while running the Sky Moms Cafe.”

“That’s right. And the kids of those members who hang around with Lee Mi-so also seem to have improved their grades.”

These weren’t just baseless rumors.

The mothers of Gangnam were highly sensitive to grades, and the sudden turnaround of Lee Mi-so’s group was too conspicuous to go unnoticed. It was hard to believe it was simply a matter of improved skills. There was no result without reason, and soon, a rumor spread that there was “something” that had elevated the grades of Lee Mi-so’s group.

The people’s reactions.

Lee Mi-so had no intention of saying anything.

She had no plans to share this excellent tutoring secret with others.

But around that time, she had a conversation with Kim Hyun-seong.

“I have a favor to ask. Please share ‘some’ of the content I’ve taught to help expand the cafe. Not enough for people to identify my involvement specifically, but just enough so that any mother with a child preparing for exams will feel compelled to join Sky Moms Cafe. Once the cafe grows, there will be something else I need you to do for me later. And don’t worry about Min-woo. I have no plans to tutor anyone else besides Min-woo and the other kids, and sharing just a portion of the content won’t let them achieve the same results as Min-woo.”

To Lee Mi-so, Kim Hyun-seong was like a god.

He was the one who had changed her life, so how could she refuse his request?

She agreed without hesitation.

From then on.

Lee Mi-so became more active among the Gangnam mothers, openly suggesting there was a special secret to Min-woo’s academic improvement. The secret was Sky Moms Cafe, she hinted, and it was information she could share only with the VVIPs.

That day.

The cafe reached its highest number of visitors ever.

Sky Moms Cafe had always been quite famous in Gangnam, but with the overwhelming influx of visitors, it garnered unprecedented attention. Not just from Gangnam, but from parents in distant provinces as well. Hearing rumors that the secret to better grades was hidden within Sky Moms Cafe, they were willing to spend a fortune to obtain VVIP status.

Had this been a baseless rumor without results.

It would have ended as just a minor incident.

But when some of those who managed to squeeze through the needle’s eye improved their grades based on the information Lee Mi-so shared, the story changed. The rumor was true. Even if only one out of a thousand saw results, many people started flocking, drawn by that one person’s success. Many began to curry favor with Lee Mi-so, trying to get closer to her, which extended beyond the cafe into real life.

One day.

Kang Dong-cheol asked.

“Honey, what have you been up to?”

“Why?”

“Well, recently, many people have been showing interest in taking care of my health.”

Sky Moms Cafe, the largest of its kind in Gangnam.

Being its operator now wielded immense influence over the private education scene in Gangnam.

* * *

And now.

All eyes were on her.

Lee Mi-so!

What was she doing here?

Although there were students from Daesung Future High School among the group she usually hung around with, Kang Min-woo wasn’t involved at all. Everyone seemed confused. As they blinked in disbelief, wondering why she was here, Lee Mi-so spoke with a calm expression.

“Isn’t this a bit much, everyone? Just because the transfer student’s grades are exceptional, you’re all hounding the principal like a pack of wild dogs. As a fellow parent, I find this situation a bit uncomfortable.”

She smiled.

Usually, she would step back.

But this time, the mothers of Daesung Future could not accept this situation.

Jo Hye-joo stepped forward.

“…This is a matter for our school. I suggest Min-woo’s mother take a step back.”

“Oh my! Does that mean you want me to step back from all matters from now on? For example, to stop providing the ‘information’ I’ve been sharing with you?”

“No, that’s not…!”

“What do you mean, that’s not? Regarding this student, Hyun-seong, who’s transferring soon. I know there’s an issue because he’s so good at studying, but Min-woo knows him quite well. As a mother, how could I stand by and let something bad happen to my son’s friend? So, you ladies here need to make a clear decision. You can keep raising your voices if you want, but I’ll take that as a declaration that you’re siding against me.”

“…”

At her words.

Everyone fell silent.

Jo Hye-joo could only open her mouth, unable to say anything.

The reason they were causing such a fuss.

It was all for their children.

They were making this fuss to ensure their children got into good universities, but what would happen if they alienated Lee Mi-so, the most crucial person in this situation? Sacrificing future opportunities just to secure a single ranking seemed foolish.

The mothers were not unaware of the situation.

After glancing at each other, one mother from the back spoke up before Jo Hye-joo could respond.

“…Let’s stop here. I was feeling a bit uncomfortable, too.”

“Yes, me too.”

Jo Hye-joo turned her head sharply.

‘These bitches?!’

She had lost the initiative.

There was no room to protest.

And no chance to make a good impression on Lee Mi-so.

But what could she do?

The tide had already turned.

Jo Hye-joo’s eyes twitched slightly as she forced a smile.

“…Alright. Since Min-woo’s mother is asking so earnestly, I won’t raise any more issues for her sake.”

* * *

Amidst the ongoing chaos.

Kim Hyun-seong was at an officetel in Gangnam.

Located just a five-minute walk from Daesung Future High School and even closer to the subway entrance, it was a luxury officetel. Go Chang-beom had secured the place for him, which cost several million won a month. Kim Hyun-seong had only packed the clothes and study materials he needed when he moved in. Although the officetel wasn’t fully furnished, Go Chang-beom had already equipped it with appliances and furniture he thought Kim Hyun-seong might need.

A large TV.

A trendy refrigerator, the latest computer, and more.

Though not particularly necessary, Kim Hyun-seong didn’t reject the hospitality.

He took a deep breath.

Gazing out the window at Gangnam Avenue, he was lost in thought when he received a call from Lee Mi-so.

“…I’ve handled it as we discussed. At least now, the parents won’t be causing any more trouble over your transfer, Mr. Hyun-seong.”

“Thank you. I won’t forget this favor.”

“Oh, please. We’re in a mutually beneficial relationship, and if you talk about favors for something like this, it makes me blush. Considering everything I’ve received so far, I’d gladly do anything for our tutor to continue looking after Min-woo. So don’t feel burdened. It’s only natural for me.”

Her words were genuinely appreciated.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Lee Mi-so, he hung up and gazed out the window again.

‘Is this just the beginning?’

His transfer.

This wasn’t a problem that could be solved by Lee Mi-so alone.

Out of all the schools in Gangnam, he specifically chose Daesung Future High School because it was a hotbed of activity for the Golden Circle—a school with numerous issues. But if a nationwide top-ranked student suddenly transferred in? Would the students already involved with the Golden Circle simply accept Kim Hyun-seong’s presence?

Absolutely not.

This wasn’t even a matter that required considering Lee Mi-so.

The identity of the client was strictly confidential, and they could handle Kim Hyun-seong without considering personal relationships.

There was no way to find out who the client was.

It was a highly convenient system.

The powerful.

Those with influence.

They could enjoy this responsibility-free system for the sake of their children.

‘According to the information I confirmed from Jung Chan-soo, there are still requests being made at Daesung Future High School, even now. Simultaneously, in fact. Adding one more target like me wouldn’t be a big deal. And my background, which had a strong influence in Daesan, won’t mean much here.’

The more he thought about it.

It felt like he was plunging into an abyss.

He wasn’t afraid.

In fact, he was excited.

How many times had he envisioned this moment?

Even if it was just an imagination, he had been here countless times, gazing down at Gangnam Avenue.

He closed his eyes gently.

Lost in thought.

Immersed in reality.

Time passed quickly.

While staying at the officetel, Kim Hyun-seong avoided unnecessary outings and reviewed his plans on a large board. He meticulously documented everything, ensuring there were no mistakes and outlining what to do next without leaving any gaps.

Then, one day.

He received a call from Jung Chan-soo.

[As expected. There’s been a request to the Golden Circle to ‘take care of you.’]

Clench.

He tightened his grip.

Just as he thought.

The world was still rotten.

***

Footnotes:
[1] Kang Min-Woo was one of the deliquent student in Gangnam thate he tutored after the request of Lee Mi-so. He first appeared in chapter 39 of the Manhwa.